Which Headlight UV Sealant/protector

Rickshaw · 9th August 2021, 18:47

Today I attacked some very cloudy headlights on one of my 75’s. I used a Dremel with wool/fibre discs and for the abrasive a combination of T-Cut paste then Mothers Mag&Aluminium Polish.
Result is mirror like headlights. Now I want to apply a UV and other anti-chemicals protective coat and would welcome club members views / experience. I see several products on the market BUT :-
1 – they often say lasts only months or a year
2 - I am not sure what to do to the headlights after such a period eg reapply the product , remove down to the surface and reapply – or what?
Are there some protective finishers that really DO last a number of years?
Any observations/advice most welcome.

edwardmk · 9th August 2021, 20:32

I'm also very interested in solution to sealing and stabilising headlights after polishing.

SCP440 · 10th August 2021, 06:57

The best way is to get your friendly body shop to lacquer them. If you do all the work of rubbing them down and remove them they will probably only charge you a nominal amount because they can do them while they are lacquering another job.

AndyN01 · 10th August 2021, 07:42

Those familiar to the Nano meets will know that I do headlights there.

I use Britemax Extreme Elements to seal them. We know that lasts about 3 years because the ones I did in 2018 are starting to go cloudy again.

As with everything else the prep is crucial.

If you can get them to a body shop that would be great.

The other thing I've heard of but not used is UV wrap.

Good Luck.

T-Cut · 10th August 2021, 11:30

This is what I've used. Basically, it's a UV absorbing laquer. Two or three coats should last years. Not the only one, but they all do the same thing.

TC

Rickshaw · 10th August 2021, 12:14

Many thanks for refs – very much appreciated and I now feel on track bar a couple of points --
What do you do when it appears time to renew:-
• User cleaner / abrasive to take down to plastic surface again and re-apply
• Or just re-apply ?
Views most welcome.

trikey · 12th August 2021, 15:41

The only problem with using lacquer is that if you get a stone chip, it can lift and turn milky.

I just polish the headlights, I don’t use UV sealer, it’s no hassle to give them a polish each year.

Mike2000 · 12th August 2021, 17:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by trikey

The only problem with using lacquer is that if you get a stone chip, it can lift and turn milky.

I lacquereds my headlamp a year ago - it didn't last the winter, by February they were milky. I had to polish the lacquer off to clear the lights.

9th August 2021, 18:47	#1
Rickshaw Loves to post Rover 75 Tourer, 2 X75 Saloon , MGTF Sunstorm Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Guildford Posts: 380 Thanks: 497 Thanked 172 Times in 93 Posts	Which Headlight UV Sealant/protector Today I attacked some very cloudy headlights on one of my 75’s. I used a Dremel with wool/fibre discs and for the abrasive a combination of T-Cut paste then Mothers Mag&Aluminium Polish. Result is mirror like headlights. Now I want to apply a UV and other anti-chemicals protective coat and would welcome club members views / experience. I see several products on the market BUT :- 1 – they often say lasts only months or a year 2 - I am not sure what to do to the headlights after such a period eg reapply the product , remove down to the surface and reapply – or what? Are there some protective finishers that really DO last a number of years? Any observations/advice most welcome.

10th August 2021, 07:42	#4
AndyN01 This is my second home Toyota RAV4 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Tamworth Posts: 3,076 Thanks: 2,478 Thanked 1,579 Times in 968 Posts	Those familiar to the Nano meets will know that I do headlights there. I use Britemax Extreme Elements to seal them. We know that lasts about 3 years because the ones I did in 2018 are starting to go cloudy again. As with everything else the prep is crucial. If you can get them to a body shop that would be great. The other thing I've heard of but not used is UV wrap. Good Luck. __________________ Andy. http://www.midlandsnanomeets.co.uk/ Last edited by AndyN01; 10th August 2021 at 07:50..

10th August 2021, 12:14	#6
Rickshaw Loves to post Rover 75 Tourer, 2 X75 Saloon , MGTF Sunstorm Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Guildford Posts: 380 Thanks: 497 Thanked 172 Times in 93 Posts	Really helpful Many thanks for refs – very much appreciated and I now feel on track bar a couple of points -- What do you do when it appears time to renew:- • User cleaner / abrasive to take down to plastic surface again and re-apply • Or just re-apply ? Views most welcome.

12th August 2021, 15:41	#7
trikey Premium Trader Rover 75 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Devon Posts: 33,772 Thanks: 8,837 Thanked 14,831 Times in 8,030 Posts	The only problem with using lacquer is that if you get a stone chip, it can lift and turn milky. I just polish the headlights, I don’t use UV sealer, it’s no hassle to give them a polish each year. __________________ Lest we forget..

9th August 2021, 20:32	#2
edwardmk Gets stuck in MG ZT 260, Rover 75 Connie SE auto Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Redruth Posts: 984 Thanks: 1,324 Thanked 399 Times in 271 Posts	I'm also very interested in solution to sealing and stabilising headlights after polishing.

10th August 2021, 06:57	#3
SCP440 I really should get out more....... MG ZT-T 260 Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Witney Posts: 2,504 Thanks: 6 Thanked 910 Times in 571 Posts	The best way is to get your friendly body shop to lacquer them. If you do all the work of rubbing them down and remove them they will probably only charge you a nominal amount because they can do them while they are lacquering another job.

10th August 2021, 11:30	#5
T-Cut This is my second home Rover75 and Mreg Corsa. Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sumweer onat mote o'dust (Sagin) Posts: 21,753 Thanks: 341 Thanked 3,660 Times in 2,924 Posts	This is what I've used. Basically, it's a UV absorbing laquer. Two or three coats should last years. Not the only one, but they all do the same thing. TC